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What's Happening in Golden - Tuesday, Dec. 9th, 2025

News and events in Golden, Colorado. Tuesday, Dec. 9th, 2025

,   and  Barb Warden
14 min read
Click to enlarge

December Ice

Photo by Richard Luckin
Click to enlarge

What's happening in Golden today?

Events for Tuesday, Dec. 9th

Golden History Tours
Baby Time - Registration Required
Preschool Time - Registration Required
Team Trivia Tuesday

Colorado Gives Day 2025

Photo by Chris Davell

Any day is a good day to support a Golden-based non-profit, but today is extra good! On Colorado Gives Day, the Community First Foundation provides some matching funds for every donation. Here are links to the donation pages for some of our non-profits. I probably missed some, so if you don't see your favorite organizations, search on the Colorado Gives Day home page.

Arts & Culture

People

Schools

Community

Update on the Clay Mining Plan

Clay mine seam in the background with Pat Madison's triceratops in the foreground

A mining company is planning to expand the clay mine north of town. In order to do so, they require rezoning. The county is now accepting public comments on the case. Learn more on the Protect the Hogback website (yellow "Latest Updates 12/08/25" button).

9AM-1PM Painting Exploration @ Front Porch

Rich Reds & Smooth Blends – Join us for a fun and approachable two-hour acrylic painting class designed for beginners. In this session, we’ll paint a vibrant picture of ripe, juicy tomatoes while learning the basics of acrylics. You’ll be guided step-by-step through the process—from drawing the composition to mixing the perfect reds and greens, and blending your paint smoothly for natural shading and highlights. Along the way, you’ll gain confidence with color mixing, brush control, and blending techniques that will bring your tomatoes to life. No experience necessary, and all supplies are included. Just bring your curiosity and get ready to create something beautiful! $35 resident/$38 non-resident - Register

5-7PM VIBE@Five

VIBE@FIVE is Golden's Happy Hour! Come join other members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce for this "Very Important Business Event" - VIBE! Dress in your favorite holiday festive attire and join us for our last Very Important Business Event of 2025! Our host, Origin Hotel, will have a variety of bites from their on-site restaurant, Nomad Taqueria.  Guests are welcome to purchase beverages from the bar.

This event is for members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce and their guests as well as for members of the Golden Young Professionals. Stop in for a quick hello and a refreshment right after work and a chance to get to know fellow members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce and Golden Young Professionals. This is a great networking and socializing event. More info.

Location:

Origin Hotel Red Rocks
18485 W. Colfax Avenue   (Map)

5PM City Council Study Session @ City Hall

Tonight's Study Session begins at 5PM. The Business Meeting will begin at 6:30PM. Public comment is not allowed during the study session, though you can send written public comment ahead of time. In-person public comment must wait until the Business Meeting at 7:45PM.

Tonight's Study Session Topics:

Transportation Demand Management Plan

The Planning Department will present a proposed Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan. TDM plans are designed to reduce the number of cars on the roads and in the parking lots by encouraging walking, biking, and public transportation. In some cases, developers who provide TDM plans are allowed to build less-than-required-by-code parking spaces. The Clayworks project going in on the former Coors Ceramics property has a TDM plan, so it will be interesting to see how they add many new shops, restaurants, offices, and a hotel without straining downtown Golden's already-tight parking situation.

The meeting memo includes the survey responses the City gathered from about 100 participants (pp 8-52). On page 3, Staff summarized the responses as follows:

  • People live too far from work to use alternatives to cars.
    - Distance, topography
  • Non-car options are perceived to be unsafe, uncomfortable, inconvenient or simply not practical.
    - Aggressive drivers
  • Parking shortages are perceived to be one of the biggest challenges in Golden, particularly for customers.
  • Desire for safer bike lanes.
  • Find ways to make it easier for people to walk around town. More bike storage/racks in Golden.
  • Interest in the Ore Cart being more comprehensive to reach the more rural parts of the City (unclear if this is referring to areas within or outside City limits).
  • Desire for e-bikes to help with topographic and weather challenges.

The high-level Transportation Demand Management (pp. 53-58) recommends many strategies for weaning people from their cars. Staff will be asking City Council whether they're ready to formally adopt the plan.

Revisions to Downtown Parking Cash in Lieu Provisions

Since 2003, the City has allowed developers to provide cash rather than building parking on their own property. The thought was that visitors to the new buildings could use the public parking garages. The cash provided to the City was intended to provide additional parking when needed. City Staff periodically checks the parking garages and they say we still have excess capacity.

The Cash in Lieu program only applied to new buildings. Older buildings sometimes change tenants--for instance, office space becoming a restaurant. The restaurant may need more parking than the office did, but since it's in an old building, the business is not required to provide either parking or cash in lieu of parking.

Staff is asking Council whether they want to make any changes to the program. Options include:

  • Do nothing--leave things are they are
  • Increase the price for cash in lieu of parking
  • Allow developers to submit TDM plans in place of some of their required parking.

    If Council moves forward with a proposed voluntary downtown TDM program, this could be a means of reducing single occupancy vehicle use downtown and the associated demand on parking spaces, while also giving Golden’s downtown business owners more flexibility to expand their footprint as their needs change.

Location:

City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street   (Map)

6:30PM GDGID and City Council Business Meeting @ City Hall

Golden Downtown General Improvement District (GDGID) Meeting

For a history of the GDGID, see the background I provided for this same meeting last year.

This Board, which is comprised of the City Council members, is responsible for providing parking downtown. They meet at least once a year to discuss our parking needs and to budget for any needed repairs. This used to be a fairly bare bones operation, but since we started charging for parking, the downtown parking lots have become a cash cow. Tonight's meeting calls for Council to transfer $260K of the GDGID's budget into the General Fund so the money "may benefit both the downtown area and other parts of the community."

Business Meeting

Public Comment

The meeting begins with public comment. If you want to address Council, you will have three minutes to speak. Any public comments received by email before 3PM will be posted in the meeting packet after 3 (so check back then!).

Items on the Consent Agenda are considered non-controversial, not needing discussion. Everything in this section will be approved at once, with one vote.

Any councilor wishing to discuss one of the issues can request that it be removed from the consent agenda and discussed and voted on separately.

These are the items on the Consent Agenda:

  • First reading to extend the time period to finalize the Annexation and Zoning agreement for the Junction property north of town. Second reading 12/16/25 (more)
  • Awarding a contract for $220,414 to replace the playground equipment at Lions Park. (more)
  • Authorizing an IGA with the Mile High Flood District for flood control on Lena Gulch. (more)
  • Approving an amendment to the IGA that established the Jefferson County Regional Crime Lab. (more)
  • Awarding a $4.36 million contract to replace the irrigation system at Fossil Trace Golf Course. (more)
  • Updating the City's fees for inspections, permits, RV site rentals, athletic field fees, cemetery fees, etc. (more)
  • Approving a $344,726.40 contract for a Microsoft subscription. (more)
  • Approving a resolution stating the Fossil Trace will reimburse the City for $9 million in Certificates of Participation that the City will take on in 2026. The funds will be used to replace the Fossil Trace pump station. (more)
  • Resolution setting the City Manager's salary and compensation (amount not included in the memo). (more)
  • Resolution setting the City Attorney's salary and compensation (amount not included in the memo). (more)

Housing types in form zone overlays

The Planning Supervision will address this topic with Council, but there is no memo describing the issues.

Contribution to Habitat for Humanity for Affordable Housing

The City expects to receive $3,15 million for Clayworks when they receive their certificate of occupancy for the new building. That fund is earmarked to go into an Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Habitat for Humanity has requested that the entire amount be contributed to the "Calvary Flats" project (817 14th Street), which will create 40 housing units in place of the one house currently on that lot. Staff is recommending that they give $2 million with an additional future pledge of $600,000. The remaining $550K in the trust fund would be used for future affordable housing projects.

In addition to this $2.6 million, the City is contributing $179K in economic development funds and $950K through the Downtown Development Authority. (more)

Public Hearings

  • Establishing wastewater charges for the Golden Overlook Subdivision (more)
  • Adopting the budget for 2026 (more)
  • Setting the mill levies for property taxes, fire department property taxes, and DDA property taxes (more)
  • Updating the sustainability codes (more)
  • Eliminating the 1% growth limit that was adopted in 1995 but committing to provide an annual report regarding the number of dwelling units built. (more)
  • Reinstating the limitation on keeping of dogs and cats (more)

Executive Session

They will move into Executive Session (no public, no cameras, no microphones) to evaluate the performance of the Municipal Judge and the Hearing Officer.

Location:

City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street   (Map)

6:30-8PM Pictures with Santa @ The Community Center

Calling all good girls and boys: join us for pictures with Santa! Then stick around for free cookies, coloring, crafts, and more! 

The City will provide free light refreshments and activities for kids. Remember to bring your letters to Santa! Elves from the North Pole along with our very own Golden Police Officers will be on hand to collect your letters to and make sure they get to the Big Man himself.

Location:

Golden Community Center
1470 10th St. (map)

The Golden Word - 12/09/25

Play now.

Golden History: Lesser-Known New Deal Programs

The mural in Golden's downtown post office: both the building and mural were New Deal projects.
Click to enlarge

Roosevelt's New Deal brought about many positive changes in the Golden area. Several of the construction projects are still with us, including Berthoud Hall and Steinhauer Field House on the Mines campus, the downtown post office, and Red Rocks Amphitheater.

I always enjoy reading about the lesser-known projects.

The Sewing Project employed women to produce clothing and bedding for the poor, aged, and infirm. Occasionally they were called upon to do special projects, such as sewing costumes for theater programs or making doll clothes as Christmas presents for needy children. The sewing room was set up in the old North School, at 6th and Washington.

School lunch programs came about through the WPA, which paid to install kitchens in schools and employed women to work in them. The lunches were initially intended to help “under-nourished” children.

Adult education classes in Golden included music, drama, arts & crafts, gym, swimming, shorthand, business English, bookkeeping, typing, dance, metalworking, leatherworking, and first aid. Classes were offered in schools, the Armory, and at Camp George West.

Canning centers preserved food for area farmers on a “share” basis. Farmers brought their produce to the canning centers. Fruit was processed with 75% being returned to the farmer and 25% being used to feed under-nourished school children. Vegetables were shared with 2/3 going to the farmer and 1/3 going to the schools. One canning center was set up in the Burgess House, at Ford & Water Streets.

One of the most popular offerings with Golden home-owners was the curb and gutter program sponsored by Golden’s Mayor Burt Jones. WPA workers installed curbs and gutters in front of homes at a cost to homeowners of 36 cents per foot. This resulted in government covering about 75% of the cost.

Summer camps for children offered supervised recreation and arts & crafts in Parfet Park and City Park (which is now gone).

Republicans tended to dismiss WPA programs as a waste of taxpayer money, and WPA workers as lazy and inept. Ever the Democratic newspaper, the Transcript always defended the WPA. They pointed out that Republicans had passed the Homestead Act.

IT WASN’T CALLED A DOLE THEN
But giving farms to deserving people didn’t suit the Republicans–it didn’t get rid of the public’s domain fast enough, so they gave to the railroads every alternate square mile for 10 miles each side of the tracks. These same Republicans tried to turn over all the oil lands to their gang but got caught–the teapot boiled over.
Colorado Transcript, Number 50, October 14, 1943

Weather

Overnight's Weather

Overnight: Partly cloudy. Low around 39, with temperatures rising to around 44 overnight. West southwest wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Tuesday's Weather

Tuesday: Partly sunny. High near 58, with temperatures falling to around 54 in the afternoon. West wind 23 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Tuesday Night's Weather

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Low around 37, with temperatures rising to around 40 overnight. West southwest wind 7 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 37°F

Wednesday: Mostly Sunny, 57°F

Wednesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 45°F

Thursday: Partly Sunny, 62°F

Thursday Night: Partly Cloudy, 39°F

Friday: Mostly Sunny, 58°F

Friday Night: Partly Cloudy, 40°F

Saturday: Mostly Sunny, 59°F

Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy, 35°F

Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 61°F

Sunday Night: Partly Cloudy, 36°F

Monday: Mostly Sunny, 56°F

News About Golden - December 9, 2025

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Golden High School Holiday Bazaar fundraises for after-prom

By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript

For several hours on Saturday, people were trickling out of Golden High School with new purchases in hand... Read more...

Orediggers end 2025 season in NCAA tourney’s second round

By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript

It’s tough to say whether the 2025 season changed the Orediggers for better, but it certainly changed them for good... Read more...

Colorado School of Mines announces 2025 Alumni Award recipients

By Rachelle Trujillo
Colorado School of Mines Newsroom

Colorado School of Mines presented the 2025 Alumni Awards at the Denver Holiday Party on December 2. The recipients embody the highest ideals of Mines’ mission through their leadership, service, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the community... Read more...

Supporters

Many thanks to the people and organizations who support What’s Happening in Golden?  If you would like to support local news, please CLICK HERE!

Sponsors:
($100/month and up)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Solar, Foothills Art Center, Golden Cultural Alliance, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Miners Saloon, Golden Hayride Outpost, Unite Fitness, Clothilde Elingbow, Michael Mason, Goosetown Station, and Earth Sweet Boutique

Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $550/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Goozell Yogurt & Coffee Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Mary & Don Parker, Saré Merrigan, The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, and Vic DeMaria

Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $250/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, Marjorie Sloan, Chris and Joyce Davell, Rick Flint, Forrest Jones, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer, Bud Rockhill, Steve Enger, Kristie Brice & Mike Schwartz, The Golden Hotel, Kurt & Janet Siegfried, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, Robert Thresher, Tonie Mattox, Centennial State Wealth Advisors, and Steve & M.L. Richardson

Members:
($10-24.99/month or $110/yr)
Brad Miller & Julie Bartos, Holly Thomas, Jim and LouAnne Dale, Ann Pattison, Thomas Hoffman, Carol Abel, Brian Quarnstrom, Sandra Curran, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Kathy Smith, Karen Smith, Carlos & Nancy Bernal, Robert Storrs, Michele Sannes, Elaine Marolla, Dixie Termin & Ron Miller, E Tom Hughes, Crystal M Culbert, Patrick A. Madison, Alice Madison & Jim Kalivas, Deb Goeldner, Christopher Ball, 6th Chair Home Services, Dot & Eric Brownson, Rosemary Coffman, Emeline Paulson, Sandy Schneider, Mark and Cathy Pattridge, Cheryl G Leidich, Jen Rutter, Frani R Bickart, Jennings and Litz, Bill Sedgeley, Nancy Hughes, Justin L Wade, Kathi Eggers, Traci Case, Donna Owen, Leslie D Lutz, Karen Oxman, Catherine Skokan, Ross Fraser & KC Gilliland, Lynne Haigh, Elizabeth Hilliard, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, Kathy Hirons & Jack Markin, Jess & Anthony Monasterio, Heather Duncan, Lee Ann & Pete Horneck, Carol Cameron, Cheryl Williamson, San Daugherty, Jim Garner, John and Carol McEncroe, the Golden Welcome Center, the Golden Transcript, Koshare Eagle, Ken and Colleen Krantz, Traci Neuman Lacey, Jo Barber, Jamie Cookinham, Kermit Shields, Meridee Cecil, Vicki Olson, Colleen & Michael Ramey, Nancy & Pete Torpey, Jax Baker, Simon Maybury, Rose McLaughlin, Cameron Chambers, Joyce Gravina, Patrick Klein, Barb Robie, Richard Caldwell, Janice Waring, Sam & Marilyn Baron, Carmen Johnson, Mary Eiberger, Kevin Nichols, Ed & Carol Freza, Laura and Curtis Moore, Ruth Hund, Shelley & Jerry Devitt, Eileen Masterson, Kate Olivier, Amy Korengut, Pam Logan, Clare Shier, and Wendy Weiman

Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Mel Perkins, Bob Hamilton, Steve Stevens, Vicki Olson, Emily Kurzinski, Nanette Johnson, Peyton Gibson, Sally Berger, Kristen Morgan, Joyce Sutton, Mary Rains, Craig Champlin, Stan Swisher

Highlights